Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
VA Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on December 13, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000069590, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Columbia, SC
Issue:
On 12/1/2011, Veteran A contacted the Dorn Outpatient Pharmacy by phone to report an incident. The Veteran informed the Pharmacist that Veteran B's medication was inadvertently added to his medication package. The Pharmacist immediately entered a request for UPS to pick up the medication from Veteran A's home, and return it to the Dorn Outpatient Pharmacy. The medication was not returned to the Dorn VA Medical Center. The UPS Tracking number indicated that the package was picked up from Veteran A's home, but there are no further scans for this package. The package is considered stolen or lost by UPS. A replacement prescription was mailed to Veteran B on 12/1/2011. The VA Police and the IG Office were notified. The Privacy Officer was not notified in a timely manner. The information disclosed was: Veteran B's full name, address, name of the medication, and provider. When: The medication was mailed on 12/1/2011. Update: 12/13/11:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter due to PHI being disclosed.
Outcome:
The VA Chief of Police, VA Detective, and IG Office have been notified for futher investigation. Staff is being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.